With the NHL Draft and the free agent frenzy period in the books, the league’s 31 teams now turn their attention to the regular season with preparations for a new year. The Stanley Cup futures odds have also been updated following all of the offseason activity. It’s no surprise that the Pittsburgh Penguins are at the top of the list of favorites following back-to-back Stanley Cup wins, but there are some notable changes in terms of the group of teams expected to challenge them next season. Here is a look at the updated Stanley Cup odds following the NHL free agent frenzy period.
Pittsburgh Penguins +900
With the 1-2 tandem of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin locked in at the center position, the Penguins have done an outstanding job of building around them. Phil Kessel is still a lethal scorer. Patric Hornqvist is a capable finisher with size. Jake Guentzel and Conor Sheary are both ready for the spotlight after proving they can skate with the big boys last season. Pittsburgh’s depth up front is bolstered by the fact that Crosby and Malkin make the players around them better. The Penguins will be hoping that Kris Letang can come back healthy while Justin Schultz and Brian Dumoulin were also brought back. Matt Murray will have a tough time continuing his current pace after winning two Stanley Cups in his first two seasons. He has proven himself as a No. 1 NHL goaltender and is now the man in Pittsburgh following Marc-Andre Fleury’s departure. The Penguins have the weapons to challenge for a third straight Stanley Cup win. Will they be able to stay healthy and go all the way once again in 2018?
Edmonton Oilers +1000
Connor McDavid’s ascension in to one of the top superstars in the NHL has elevated the Oilers in to Stanley Cup contenders. However, Edmonton’s Stanley Cup odds are about more than just McDavid. The Oilers made significant progress at both ends of the ice last season. Cam Talbot emerged as a legitimate No. 1 goaltender. Adam Larsson, Oscar Klefbom and Kris Russell filled out an improved defense core. Leon Draisaitl slotted in as the perfect linemate to McDavid while Milan Lucic, Zack Kassian and Patrick Maroon contributed as tough scoring wingers that can create with their size. The key for Edmonton this season is to continue to improve up front without compromising their two-way play. The additions of Ryan Strome and Jussi Jokinen are expected to help. McDavid will lead the Oilers once again but he will need some help if they are going to contend for a Stanley Cup.
Washington Capitals +1000
Washington’s position on this list is a little bit strange for a couple of reasons. First, they haven’t even been able to get out of the Eastern Conference in recent years despite having a perennial Presidents trophy contender. Second, they have just over $4 million in cap space remaining and they only have 10 forwards and five defensemen under contract. The Capitals will need to get creative in order to fill out the remainder of their roster. T.J. Oshie and Evgeni Kuznetsov signed long-term deals but Washington doesn’t have much left to work with in order to fill out the remainder of their roster. Capitals GM Brian MacLallan will have his work cut out for him as he attempts to fill out the remainder of his roster. All things considered, perhaps Washington is a little too high on this list right now.
Tampa Bay Lightning +1100
The Lightning didn’t even make the playoffs a year ago and now they are considered among the top Stanley Cup contenders. That is a testament to how injuries ravaged their roster last season. Steven Stamkos and Ryan Callahan will be back. Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat and Anton Stralman are healthy. Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman and Alex Killorn are all back. Tampa Bay also signed veteran forward Chris Kunitz to help fill out its top-nine group. The Lightning has the potential to be one of the most improved teams in the NHL this season. It could come down to the play of Andrei Vasilevskiy, who now becomes the franchise No. 1 goaltender for Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay brought back Peter Budaj in a backup role, but Vasilevskiy will need to play at a high level if the Lightning are going to contend for a Stanley Cup.
Chicago Blackhawks +1200
The Blackhawks were given a wakeup call when they were swept by the Nashville Predators in the opening round of last year’s playoffs. Chicago has been hit hard by salary cap restraints, but they are still considered among the favorites to contend for the Stanley Cup. Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane are back. The Blackhawks traded Artemi Panarin to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Brandon Saad. Chicago also signed veteran Patrick Sharp to a one-year, $800K deal. The Blackhawks could get some cap relief by putting Marian Hossa on long-term IR but that is one more roster spot they will need to address. Chicago has succeeded with one of the best core groups in the NHL. It will be interesting to see if they can bounce back and contend for a Stanley Cup next season.
The 2017-18 odds to win the Stanley Cup have been posted. Click here to get the latest lines from BetDSI, including moneylines, totals, props and futures!
